STRONG, ALERT & RESILIENT! Describe the 400 participants of the 2-day Search and Rescue (SAR) Summit hosted by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dalaguete-Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) from July 26–27, 2024.
The SAR Summit 2024 was spearheaded by Start-Ops Safety Solutions Executive Director, Dennis M. Cortes, in collaboration with LGU-Dalaguete Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) Division Head Almar Villahermosa.
In a statement, Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan G. Cesante welcomed the South Cluster emergency responders, facilitators, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, and other cluster/region/unit participants, saying that the activity would enhance the skills and knowledge of responders to be prepared in times of calamities, disasters, and other untoward incidents.
Cortes, who was also the originator and creator of the 1st Provincial SAR Summit held in Cebu last July 2015, added that the activity, “started with a thought and vision for inter-operability, camaraderie, and unity amongst local responders.”
The Summit brought together DRRMOs of cities and municipalities, starting with Dalaguete, Carcar City, Sibonga, Argao, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Badian, Lapu-Lapu City, Danao City, and Mabinay, Negros Oriental.
It provided various lectures, mini–SAR clinics, kiddie rope courses, SAR skills stations, static display of equipment and tools, SAR truck familiarization, technical rope rescue scenario, and Water Safety, Rescue and Survival Techniques (WASAR) scenario, designed to address key safety concerns and improve emergency response strategies.
In addition, Exhibitors and Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) joined the said summit, namely: Dalaguete Bureau of Fire Protection, Dalaguete Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Dalaguete, Cubacub Emergency Response Unit (CERU), Toledo Emergency Volunteers Search and Rescue (TEVSAR), Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Aerodome Fire Rescue Division, Camp Red Bushcraft and Survival Guild, Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment, Survival and Outdoor Skills Cebu, Work Essentials Trading, Philippine Island Conservation of Karst, Inc. (PICK), Habagat Outdoor Equipment, Sanjo Medipharm, Cygnus Phillipines-Cebu, First Pinnacle Trading Corporation, Dala Dive Center Dalaguete and Regional Explosives Ordinance Disposal and Canine Unit 7 (RECU 7).
Special acknowledgement to the sponsors who also made this activity successful, 2nd District Representative Congressman Edsel A. Galeos, Dhodz Pizza, Premco Coral Stone Corporation, Bengcolita Enterprises, Bar.Ko Restobar Seawall, Olympic Pharmacy, Enchanted Mountain Resort, Mr. Crisanto, Hon. Elma Lopez, Liloy (Mighty), Patty’s Bakeshop, Palmer Aisa, and 150 Peakway Mountain Resort.
The President of the League of DRRMOs in Cebu Province, Dr. Roland “Jikjik” Delos Reyes, praised how welcoming the Dalaguetnons were, which he witnessed throughout the activity.
“We wanted Danao City to gain more friends, to make more allies, and to learn more from our brothers,” Reyes shared his positive outlook at the summit.
Making the summit not just about addressing various safety concerns, including disaster preparedness, public health, and community resilience, but also forging new friendships and allies.
Hence, providing valuable insights and practical advice to local residents, business owners, private organizations, and LGUs focused on safety and emergency management in line with the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month.
Photos by: Municipal ITSM Staff and Hon. Aneza Cayme
